Little Simz - “Gorilla” - 2022, Little Simz has exploded onto the hip hop scene in the past few years, and I honestly think she is one of the best acts out there right now. I last featured her on the May 2023 playlist, which is one of my favorites. This song has such a unique style and cadence that I love.

Sleater-Kinney - “The Drama You’ve Been Craving” - 1997, Critics have called Sleater-Kinney one of the best rock n roll acts of the late 90s and 2000s. This song comes from their album Dig Me Out, which made Rolling Stone’s 500 greatest albums of all time list. Both of the founding members, Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein, were formerly in bands that were under the Riot Grrrrl feminist punk movement, and Sleater-Kinney started as a side project for the two.

M(h)aol - “Asking For It” - 2023, M(h)aol is an Irish post-punk band consisting of Róisín Nic Ghearailt’s vocals, Constance Keane on drums, Jamie Hyland on bass, Zoë Greenway on bass (yes two bassists - rawk), and Sean Nolan on guitar. The band is named after the 16th century Irish pirate queen Gráinne Mhaol. This song is the first track off of their debut album and is a (loud) outcry against rape culture in the UK and Ireland.

Kiss the Tiger - “You Are the One” - 2021, Kiss the Tiger is fronted by Meghan Kreidler, and she brings the heat to their live performances, saying that one of her goals is to “jolt you awake.” This is good ol rock n roll at it’s finest, however, the band also draws on more americana sounds at times, which I equally enjoy.

Indigo de Souza - “Smog” - 2023, Last featured on the January 2024 playlist, Indigo is one of my favorite recent finds in indie rock. Her writing style is straight forward and often is in reference to problems most can relate to in our current times.

Japanese Breakfast - “Be Sweet” - 2021, I feel like this song could have come out in the late 80s and killed it. It has such a solid bass line, and singer, Michelle Zauner’s delivery of the chorus just screams late 80s pop. She actually has a cover of the Tears for Fears song, “Head Over Heels,” that I may have to add to a playlist some day.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - “Zero” - 2009, I can’t believe this song was released 15 years ago. I think this album was probably my favorite of 2009. Lead singer, Karen O, is my favorite female voice in modern rock music. This album departed from the indie rock sound of their prior few albums, and embraced a dance style rock that I just love.

The One Eighties - “No King” - 2023, Another song that clearly has 80s pop influence. However, they are doing it their own way. There is not too often you hear 80s style synths paired with a steel guitar and strings, but it is such an amazing combo. The One Eighties are the duo of Autumn Brand and Daniel Cook.

Vagabon - “Do Your Worst” - 2023, Last featured on the December 2023 playlist. Vagabon is the pseudonym for Cameroonian-American, Laetitia Tamko. She is a self-taught singer-songwriter, music producer, and multi-instrumentalist. She did not learn English until moving to the US at 13, and still managed to graduate with an Engineering degree.

Rahill - “Hesitations” - 2023 - Last featured on the November 2023 playlist. I became a fan of Rahill with her new album from 2023 that this song is on. She is an Iranian-American musician and DJ, and got her start with the NYC psych rock band, Habibi. This album moves away from psych rock and goes into a jazzy, trip-hop sound mixed with pop.

Alvvays - “In Undertow” - 2017, Alvvays was originally from Prince Edward Island, but later moved to Toronto. They have been making a solid mark on the indie/alt rock scene since 2011, opening for acts such as Peter, Bjorn, and John, as well as The Decemberists. They have also secured a Juno Award for Album of the Year - twice.

Margaret Glaspy - “Act Natural” - 2023, I found out about Margaret through KEXP’s Instagram post of a performance she had done for them in studio (KEXP is an amazing resource for finding music by the way). I highly recommend watching that video, which includes this song.

Hello June - “Mars” - 2018, Last featured on the September 2023 playlist. While the last song I posted to a playlist was off of the newest album, this song is off of Hello June’s debut full length. Fronted by singer and guitarist, Sarah Rudy, the band plays a great laid back rock n roll that is a great driving listen.

Haley Johnson - “Everything Comes Back Again” - 2019, Haley is brand new to me. I came across her music on Instagram and really enjoy the live performances that she posts. She has an upcoming EP this year, which I am looking forward to. This song is from her second album.

Allison Russell - “The Returner” - 2023, The album that this song is featured on is so good. It was nominated for 4 Grammy Awards and won one for Best American Roots Performance. Allison, as you can hear on this track, has an amazing voice, and is an accomplished instrumentalist as well, playing guitar, banjo, and clarinet.

The Delines - “Cheer Up Charlie” - 2019, Amy Boone is the lead vocalist for the Delines. The album that this song comes from almost didn’t happen, as she was in a major car accident that left her hospitalized on and off for three years. As soon as she could stand, the album, The Imperial, was recorded. It has a great old country music feel.

Dorothy Ashby - “Theme From ‘Valley of the Dolls’” - 1967, Dorothy was one of the first to bring the harp into the forefront as a lead instrument in Jazz music. She was born to a family that was connected to the Jazz scene in Detroit, and learned to play the piano early on. She switched her main instrument to the harp in the 1950s, and consequently changed the instrument’s role forever. This track is off of one of her most recognized albums, Afro-Harping.

Elza Soares - “Perdao Vila Isabel” - 1976, Maybe the most badass woman on this list - Elza was deemed dangerous by the Brazilian military dictatorship, and in 1970, her house was machine gunned by regime agents. She was also named Singer of the Millennium along with Tina Turner by BBC Radio in 1999.

Lijadu Sisters - “Not Any Longer” - 1978, the Lijadu Sisters are twins, Taiwo and Kehinde, from Nigeria. They were one of the most popular acts in Nigeria in the 70s, and were known for their harmonized singing, as well as incorporating non-traditional instruments into Afro-beats music.

Cibo Matto - “Flowers” - 1998, The Japanese born duo of Miho Hatori and Yuka Honda didn’t know each other growing up, but met when they both independently moved to New York. In New York, Honda was a member of the Brooklyn Funk Essentials, and Hatori got her start in the Tokyo rap scene and was a club DJ before relocating. Honda went on to produce for Sean Lennon and Martha Wainwright, and was a member of the Plastic Ono Band.

Sierra Ferrell - “Fox Hunt” - 2023, This track is a single from Sierra’s upcoming 2024 album release. Sierra is battling her way up the food chain to claim the title of Queen of Americana in my opinion. She is being featured on a song from a lot of the major alt-country releases from the past year and has a ton of momentum going into ‘24. This is going to be a big year for her.

Leslie Stevens - “Such a Good Time Without You” - 2024, Leslie is one of my favorite finds of 2023. She falls squarely into the melting pot of alt-country/Americana that I enjoy, which usually involves a little psychedelia. She has a voice that I would put up against any of the women that are currently have the limelight in the genre, and is a fantastic songwriter. There is a solid chance that the album that this song is on will end up in my favorites of Country for 2024.

Yola - “Shady Grove” - 2019, I absolutely loved this album when it came out. It was a great mix of soul, roots, and country influences. This song, to me, is particularly beautiful. After this album, Yola’s next album expanded her musical abilities into more soul and pop music, and less of the roots and country influence.

Neko Case - “I Wish I Was the Moon” - 2002, Neko is my favorite female voice in Country/Americana. This song is one of my all time favorites of any genre. You may also know her as being part of the indie rock super-group, The New Pornographers.

Beth Bombara - “Lonely Walls” - 2023, I found Beth Bombara as a direct result of this blog actually. This was just a totally out of left field find in my never ending quest for new music. I love the arrangement of this song, starting in a roots rock style and getting psychedelic by the end.

SG Goodman - “Old Time Feeling” - 2020, If Neko Case is my favorite female voice in Americana/Country, then SG Goodman is my favorite female songwriter of the genre (but man can she sing too). This song has a quality that reminds me of Grace Slick.

Molly Tuttle - “Alice in the Bluegrass” - 2023, Molly plays the kind of bluegrass that is both marked by extreme talent and doesn’t take itself too seriously (the kind that fits in perfect in jam band style festivals). Molly’s songwriting is superb, but her voice and guitar playing are also fantastic. She is the total musical package.

Buffalo Clover - “Truthfulness” - 2014, I knew that I wanted Margo Price on this list from when I first thought of the idea, but this is a curveball. Before her massive solo career in Americana, she fronted the band, Buffalo Clover. This band brings a Motown and blues feel to Americana and has an awesome sound.

Senora May, Jessica Lea Mayfield - “Lookin’ For a Fight” - 2021, Senora may is an extremely talented singer-songwriter from Kentucky that plays some of the best roots and Americana music out there. She also happens to be married to Tyler Childers, which I’m pretty sure makes them an Americana power couple. Jessica Lea Mayfield is also a singer-songwriter, but in indie and alt-rock, which usually wouldn’t call their musicians singer-songwriter (I feel like that is reserved for country/folk?) but it is the best way to describe her in my opinion.

Gillian Welch - “Revelator” - If Sierra Ferrell is gunning for taking over as Queen of Americana, then Gillian Welch is the final boss battle. Gillian is an incredible songwriter and vocalist. This song comes off of one of the best Americana albums ever produced, also titled, Revelator.

The Mamas & The Papas - “Dream a Little Dream of Me” - 1968, Cass Elliot’s solo work and work with The Mamas & The Papas was a major contribution to pop music in the 60s and 70s. Unfortunately, despite her success, Cass’ career was not a happy one, as she was constantly harped on about her weight, even to the point where she was almost kept out of The Mamas & The Papas because of it. Safe to say, it would not have been the same band without her. This rendition of the 1931 song, is a classic.